Latham secures $5.5 million in federal funds to date for the project The Waukee contingent presented legislators with a two-page bullet-point summary and a packet of information outlining the progress that had been made "It went very well," Gunderson said. "When representatives of Waukee meet with our Congressional delegation, whether in Washington, D.C. or back in our district, they immediately know the topic we intend to discuss…the Alice’s Road/105 th Street I- 80 interchange.”
Special Interest Articles: Waukee Contingent Lobbies Congressional Delegation .............................. 1 Latham Secures Federal Earmark for Waukee............... 1 Study Reveals Information About Waukee’s Workforce .... 2 New Developments: Country Clinic Opens New Medical Facility ....................... 3 New Census Statistics Reveal Steady Growth............ 3 Waukee Home to New Recreation Facility .................. 4 Legacy Pointe Begins Construction ........................... 5 City Officials Set Out to Lobby in Washington D.C. SUMMER 2003 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham has secured $3 million in federal funding for the I-80 Interchange project at Alice’s Road/105th Street in Waukee. The funds are included in a U.S. House transportation and treasury funding bill approved by Latham’s Appropriations Committee. “This project is absolutely vital to fostering residential and commercial growth in the State of Iowa,” said Latham. “It will alleviate congestion, allow for greater economic growth, and increase traffic safety.” The project will address transportation infrastructure problems that have stemmed from the city’s population growth and that of the Des Moines metropolitan area. To date, Latham has secured a total of $5.5 million in federal funds for the project. The legislation now awaits consideration by the full Senate, which is expected to take place in early October. Congressman Latham Press Release House Bill Allocates $3 Million for I-80 Interchange Project Latham secures $5.5 million in federal funds to date for the project Congressman Tom Latham, Mayor Tony Oberman, and Council members Don Bailey, Jr. and Darlene Stanton In June representatives of Waukee attended the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s annual lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. Waukee sent a contingent consisting of Mayor Tony Oberman and the five City Council members. Also attending were Ron Stallman, representing the Chamber of Commerce, and Jody Gunderson, Waukee's Director of Community Development. The Waukee contingent met with all of Iowa’s Congressional delegation, seeking support for additional federal funding for the Alice’s Road I-80 interchange. "It went very well," Gunderson said. "When representatives of Waukee meet with our Congressional delegation, whether in Washington, D.C. or back in our district, they immediately know the topic we intend to discuss…the Alice’s Road/105 th Street I- 80 interchange.” The Waukee contingent presented legislators with a two-page bullet-point summary and a packet of information outlining the progress that had been made …Continued on page 4
Transcript
Special Interest Articles: Waukee Contingent Lobbies Congressional Delegation ..............................1 Latham Secures Federal Earmark for Waukee...............1 Study Reveals Information About Waukee’s Workforce ....2 New Developments: Country Clinic Opens New Medical Facility .......................3 New Census Statistics Reveal Steady Growth............3 Waukee Home to New Recreation Facility ..................4 Legacy Pointe Begins Construction ...........................5
City Officials Set Out to Lobby in Washington D.C.
SUMMER 2003 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham has secured $3 million in federal funding for the I-80 Interchange project at Alice’s Road/105th Street in Waukee. The funds are included in a U.S. House transportation and treasury funding bill approved by Latham’s Appropriations Committee. “This project is absolutely vital to fostering residential and commercial growth in the State of Iowa,” said Latham. “It will alleviate congestion, allow for greater economic growth, and increase traffic safety.” The project will address transportation infrastructure problems that have stemmed from the city’s population growth and that of the Des Moines metropolitan area.
To date, Latham has secured a total of $5.5 million in federal funds for the project. The legislation now awaits consideration by the full Senate, which is expected to take place in early October.
Congressman Latham Press Release
House Bill Allocates $3 Million for I-80 Interchange Project Latham secures $5.5 million in federal funds to date for the project
Congressman Tom Latham, Mayor Tony Oberman, and Council members Don Bailey, Jr. and Darlene Stanton
In June representatives of Waukee attended the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s annual lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. Waukee sent a contingent consisting of Mayor Tony Oberman and the five City Council
members. Also attending were Ron Stallman, representing the Chamber of Commerce, and Jody Gunderson, Waukee's Director of Community Development. The Waukee contingent met with all of Iowa’s Congressional delegation, seeking support for additional federal funding for the Alice’s Road I-80 interchange. "It went very well," Gunderson said. "When representatives of Waukee meet with our Congressional delegation, whether in Washington, D.C. or back in our district, they immediately know the topic we intend to discuss…the Alice’s Road/105th Street I-80 interchange.” The Waukee contingent presented legislators with a two-page bullet-point summary and a packet of information outlining the progress that had been made
…Continued on page 4
Homemakers8,383
Employed62,136
Retired2,127
Unemployed6,388
Unemployed: This number includes individuals who are either underemployed, possess incomes below the poverty rate, or are available to work more hours than offered
Estimated Number of Individuals Very Likely or Somewhat Likely to Change or Accept Employment (79,034)
Total Potential Workforce: 243,949
Homemakers8,383
Employed62,136
Retired2,127
Unemployed6,388
Unemployed: This number includes individuals who are either underemployed, possess incomes below the poverty rate, or are available to work more hours than offered
Estimated Number of Individuals Very Likely or Somewhat Likely to Change or Accept Employment (79,034)
Total Potential Workforce: 243,949
Did You Know…
Waukee Financial Services
Labor Availability Facts
Quick Facts
Education
79.6% have education/training beyond High School
39.8% have an undergraduate degree
5.7% have a postgraduate/professional degree
Age Characteristics
Average age: 40 years 60.5% are age 25 to 44 years
Out-Commuters
Willing to travel an average of 17 miles one way
48.4% of those commuting out of Waukee are willing to change employment
99.9% are employed within the other communities in the Des Moines MSA
Employed primarily in finance, insurance, & medical
Out-Commuters Education
87.2% have education/technical training beyond High School
54.9% of the out-commuters have at least a college degree
WAUKEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Page 2 of 6
The City of Waukee recently partnered with the Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), Greater Des Moines Partnership, and the Greater Dallas County Development Alliance to complete a laborshed survey for the Des Moines Metropolitan Area. A Laborshed is defined as the area or region from which an employment center draws its commuting workforce. The studies also identify underemployment, the availability and willingness of current and prospective employees to change employment within the workforce, current and desired occupations, wage and benefit criteria, age cohorts, the number of hours worked, residence/work location, employment requirements/obstacles, and distance willing to commute to work. The purpose of collecting information for the laborshed analysis is to measure the availability and characteristics of the workforce within the region. This is accomplished in part through telephone surveys, employer information, and census data. The laborshed data generated will aid local development officials in their facilitation of industry expansion and recruitment. Waukee’s Director of Community Development, Jody Gunderson said, “Current and accurate information is the
Study Reveals Information about Waukee’s Workforce Economic impact extends beyond corporate boundaries
Waukee Laborshed Employee Frequency by Zip Code
most valuable commodity a Community Developer has at his/her disposal when marketing a community or region to new or expanding companies. Businesses seek to mitigate risk when making decisions involving location…concise workforce information is one factor companies consider during their site selection process.” Gunderson was also impressed with Workforce Development’s ability to customize the laborshed data for the business sector Waukee was attempting to attract to the community. A labor center will have an impact on the size of the area’s labor force and on the attraction of workers from within the laborshed area. The laborshed studies complement existing sources of labor data,
…Continued page 6
Respondent’s Potential Total Current Occupation In Laborshed Managerial & Adm..............................4,227 Business & Financial .........................6,038 Computer & Mathematical..................4,226 Sales & Related..................................1,208 Clerical & Adm. Support ...................14,492
Source: Iowa Workforce Development
Estimates of the number of individuals available/willing to
accept employment with skills in the Financial Service Sector
What they’re saying
About Waukee "This is not the first time I have stayed there…there are friendly people, and wide open space. It’s got everything we need as a young family." Author Brad Herzog, responding to a question from a Des Moines Register reporter as to why, in his quest to traverse across the United State, he has chosen to stay in Waukee. Des Moines Register 9/02/03 "Sales are brisk…Waukee is like West Des Moines years ago…It's the up-and-coming community." Ron Grubb, President Jerry's Homes Des Moines Register 5/20/03
Country Clinic Opens Its New Medical Facility Doctor expands practice to address growing demand for services
New Census Statistics Reveal Steady Growth Waukee remains the fastest growing community in the Metro
In 1997, Dr. Kim Countryman became the first doctor in 40 years to practice medicine in Waukee when she opened her practice in a strip mall on Highway 6. The Clinic and her practice have come a long way in a very short period of time. In September, Country Clinic opened the doors to its new medical facility located just a block north of Highway 6 on Dartmoor in Waukee.
As Waukee has grown, so has Dr. Countryman's practice, totaling more than 12,000 active patient files. In October 2002, Dr. Countryman made a decision to expand her practice to include another doctor. Dr. Glenace Shank left her practice in Urbandale to join the staff at Country Clinic. John Aunan, vice president of the Waukee Chamber of Commerce, is impressed with Countryman's entrepreneurial endeavor. "With the rapid growth the community has experienced in recent years, there continues to be a strong demand for professional services," Aunan said. The Waukee Chamber is working closely with the City officials to attract more professional services to the community.
New population estimates released by the Census Bureau in July show Waukee continues to hold the highest percentage growth rate in the Des Moines metro area. The neighboring communities of Urbandale, Clive, and West Des Moines are also experiencing significant population growth.
Waukee has come to be known to prospective residents and developers alike as a rapidly expanding community - the place to be. Waukee continues to use its growth to its advantage. In June City officials met with Iowa's Congressional
…Continued on page 6 Dallas County Population Growth
2000 to 2002
Dallas County remains the fastest growing county in the state of Iowa. It grew by 3,472 residents or 8.5% from 2000 to 2002.
WAUKEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Page 4 of 6
Waukee’s 2003
4th of July Parade
Waukee Home to New All Purpose Recreation Facility Sports Plex West site plan approved by Waukee City Council
On August 18, 2003, the Waukee City Council approved the site plan for the new Sports Plex West. Sports Plex West will be located in the Westgate Business Park. The Park is located on Alice's Road, between Hickman Road and University Avenue. The 35,338 square foot structure will consist of a 12,000 square foot astro-turf playing field that can be used for various field sports such as soccer, football, baseball, or softball. The playing field has a drop net that serves as a divider, allowing two separate practices to occur simultaneously. A full-size, regulation basketball court is part of the plan, which will also be used as two regulation size volleyball courts. Also in the plan are batting cages, tanning beds, and a 35 foot, indoor rock-climbing wall. Other services that will be offered at the facility include personal training, nutritional counseling, physical therapy, massage therapy, a pro shop, and a nutrition center. Mitch Johnson, one of the three owners of Sports Plex West, stated that there are plans to host lock-ins for various youth groups, and birthday party packages will be
available. The developers plan to facilitate sports camps and clinics, and baseball/softball hitting and pitching lessons, as well as Corporate Teambuilding Programs. Johnson also stated that Sports Plex West will offer Speed City, a program that he described as "an established youth enhancement program, which has been around for about four or five years. Sports Plex is primarily a family-oriented sports facility. These types of facilities are common in bigger cities. We think that it's the right time for a Sports Plex in the Des Moines area, and especially in Waukee," Johnson said.
Waukee Press Citizen
Washington D.C. Lobbying… within the last year, as well as preliminary development plans for the area. "Overall, I think we were well-received and it was very positive," Oberman said. "They appeared to be supportive and understanding of the project, and I think we communicated the needs for growth and economic development very well." City Council member Bill Peard said, "The thing I brought away from the trip this year is that we are becoming more effective at presenting Waukee’s agenda. If you look at where we were three years ago and now, it's a difference of night and day."
Other area city officials were also in Washington during the week as members of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's delegation. Oberman said the interchange is a priority because it will affect not only Waukee, but also the surrounding communities that most likely will see more traffic when the interchange is complete. Iowa’s Congressional delegation urged the community to stay involved in the development process. "It's important for everybody to let their elected officials know how they feel," Council member Don Bailey said. "I think this was our best trip yet."
Des Moines Register
Rendering by David Laugerman Architect & Associates
Legacy Pointe Townhomes • 108 senior-friendly single level
townhomes • Three models available with a number of
customized plans • Sizes ranging from 1,540 to 3,190 square
feet Legacy Pointe Towne Centre Apartments • 78 apartment homes in a three story
building • One and two bedroom models • Sizes ranging from approximately 807 to
1,261 square feet Legacy Pointe Towne Centre Assisted Living • 40 homelike apartments • Studio, one and two bedroom options • Sizes ranging from 807 to 1,261 square
feet • 24-hour Home Care Services • Meals, Housekeeping, Laundry Service,
Call System, Transportation All Legacy Pointe residents have access to the Towne Centre and its amenities. Towne Centre • Two story atrium • Library • Lounge Area • Restaurant Style Dining • Barber shop and beautician • Meeting rooms • Multi-media center
WAUKEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Page 5 of 6
Legacy Pointe Begins Construction Master Planned Senior Community first of its kind in Waukee
Domino's Pizza offers crunchy thin crust, ultimate deep dish and classic hand tossed pizzas with a variety of toppings. Side items include Domino's Pizza Buffalo Chicken Kickers, Bread Sticks, Cheesy Bread, Cinna Stix, Domino's Dots and Buffalo Wings.
Los Tres Amigos offers a large selection of authentic Mexican dishes prepared using only the freshest of ingredients.
Waukee Welcomes New Businesses
Senior housing needs are changing, and so are the ways people transition into housing as they enter their senior years. In August, construction began on Legacy Pointe, a master planned senior community located on the eastern edge of Waukee along Highway 6. Legacy Pointe is designed to fit the lifestyle of adults 55 and older. The planned community offers townhome, apartment, and assisted care living accommodations. In addition to the senior housing there will be commercial development located on Highway 6.
Population Growth from 2000 to 2002
Population Change
Percent of Dallas County Growth
Dallas County 3,472 Urbandale* 416 12% Clive* 213 6% West Des Moines* 465 13% Waukee 1,453 42% Other Communities 925 27% 100%
* Population growth occurring in Dallas County
Community Development Board
Chairman: Council member Bill Peard Board Member: Michelle Durand-Adams Board Member: Jeff Mertz Board Member: Todd Noah Board Member: John Aunan
New Census Statistics... delegation and presented them with a document highlighting the growth that has occurred in the community and requesting additional funding for the Alice's Road I-80 interchange project. Waukee officials continue to plan and address the growth that is occurring in the area. Waukee City Administrator Mark Arentsen said, "I wouldn't be surprised if we have 200 to 300 more acres platted in the next year."
Laborshed Survey Conducted… such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Employment Statistics and Labor Market Information Bureaus of IWD, that concentrate on geographic areas based generally on a county or groups of counties. The executive summary and complete survey can be downloaded from Waukee’s website. (www.waukee.org)
